HISTORY

The Beginning

Choices was founded in 2015 by Edward Barnett, following a call to action by LAUSD educator and administrator, Carla Estes. After working together at Dorsey High School to create unique and practical opportunities for the students. A working partnership was developed and a commitment to the subsequent exposure of these young minds born.

Following her time at Dorsey High School, Ms. Estes was presented with a new opportunity at Horace Mann UCLA Community School (formerly Horace Mann Middle School) to become their new Assistant Vice Principal. As she arrived on campus at Horace Mann, Ms. Estes quickly identified a notable learning opportunity with the young men on campus. Many of the young men Ms. Estes encountered were good boys, solid students, and committed to perseverance...they just all seemed to find themselves in opportunities where making the wrong choice was an area of opportunity with the young men. Upon identifying this gap, Ms. Estes engaged Ed for his assistance and Choices was born.

2015-16

Choices launches at Horace Mann Middle School during the Spring Semester with 30 young men. The first year is exploratory. The boys spend time getting to know Ed as their mentor and learning the general principles of causality. Field trips were also incorporated to introduce the boys to experiences in Los Angeles they would be privy to if the right decisions were made. Field trips included the Los Angeles Clippers vs. the Houston Rockets, Tom's Urban, and Dockweiler State Beach.

2016-17

During the first year, as a relationship is developed with the young men, more of their needs and opportunities are uncovered. The second year of Choices became dedicated to address these opportunities in an effective way. The year launched with a campfire style chat empowering the boys to share what was on their minds and hearts to discuss. From this discussion the outline for the second Spring Semester of choices was developed. The boys had guest speakers present on Women in Power, the Road to College, Dealing with Trauma, the Consequences of a Choice, and Redefining your Purpose. 

2017

Choices Mentoring Program for Young Men partners with the Los Angeles Sparks girl's basketball program and Horace Mann UCLA Community School's Beyond the Bell after school program to host a free one day basketball clinic for deserving students from the area. The "Buckets" Basketball Camp was a huge success thanks to our volunteers and sponsors--Nike, Buffalo Wild Wings, and the Ariza Elevated Game Awards. The camp was such a success you may see it twice this summer!